A BRISTOL venue was appalled to find out a man was attempting to "cash in on cancer" by selling tickets for the Dr Feelgood guitarist's farewell tour.

Wilko Johnson – who has announced he has terminal pancreatic cancer – will play at the Fleece on February 27.

But the owner of the popular Bristol venue was disgusted to find a man boasting on social networking site Facebook about buying tickets to the gig to sell on at a significant profit.

The would-be tout has now apologised and it is understood that he did not receive the tickets.

The Facebook user said: "Just bought another four Wilko Johnson tickets for the Fleece in my dad's name, and they are selling for a Sheffield gig at £100 plus on eBay, with lots of bids and a day to go.

"Hoping to make a killing price here!"

The Fleece responded on the page by telling him he was barred and accusing him of "cashing in on cancer".

Owner of the Fleece, Chris Sharp, said that the individual had since contacted them and had e-mailed the venue to apologise.

"I think he was quite shocked at what happened and has apologised," Mr Sharp said.

"He said he's not actually managed to get the tickets because he had been blocked."

Mr Sharp said that most of the tickets were sold through agents Bristol Ticket Shop, where checks were in place to try and prevent people buying too many tickets to sell on.

"This guy was obviously someone who didn't really know what he was doing, he said he had never done it before and I think he has learnt his lesson."

Mr Sharp said websites where tickets are sold on were of more concern to him than the individual, who had received angry comments online.

He added that he was "absolutely honoured" that Wilko Johnson would be playing at the Fleece.

"He's one of our favourite artists and is always such a nice guy," Mr Sharp said. "It is going to be like a party or celebration, but at the same time everyone will have tears in their eyes. For me this will be the gig of the year no matter what else we get."